Ryan Gosling Won't Eat His Cereal

Yes. Yes. Yes!

#alohachicago

The Brown Paper Box Co.
presents

ALOHA, SAY THE PRETTY GIRLS
a comedy by Naomi Iizuka

Heartland Studio
May 30–June 16, 2013

Tickets are now on sale for The Brown Paper Box Co.’s upcoming production, ALOHA, SAY THE PRETTY GIRLS, by award-winning playwright Naomi Iizuka. The play will run Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM from May 30–June 16 at the Heartland Studio in Rogers Park (7016 North Glenwood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60626). Tickets can be purchased through www.brownpaperbox.org.

In this quirky comedy, a group of twentysomethings change careers, geographical borders, and even species in a quest to find a place for themselves. ALOHA, SAY THE PRETTY GIRLS questions the nature of love, identity, and evolution in this wild and wonderful world. The play received its world premiere at the 1999 Humana Festival of New American Plays at the Actors Theatre of Louisville.

“This show has some very absurd elements,” explains director M. William Panek (Godspell, To Tree, The Brown Paper Box Co.). “People turning into animals and vice-versa, outlandish locales, and cross-gender casting. But the absurd is juxtaposed with these incredibly honest relationships, relatable characters, and natural dialogue. It’s hilarious, but then it hits you with really poignant, poetic moments.” These seemingly incongruous combinations led The Brown Paper Box Co. to produce the play.

The cast includes Pamela Mae Davis (Failure: A Love Story, Victory Gardens; Cymbeline, RIFF Collective; As You Like It, (re)discover theatre), Luke Michael Grimes (Teddy Ferrara, Goodman Theatre; Fate and Ed, ARCitext Play Festival; Macbeth, TheMASSIVE), Justin Harner (I Begin, Walkabout Theater; WILD, Kid Brooklyn Productions; Caesura: A Butchery, The Plagiarists), Christopher Hart (To Tree, The Brown Paper Box Co.; The Sandman, Oracle Theatre), Derek Herman (Almost, Maine, Chicago College of Performing Arts; Speech & Debate, Artists Repertory Theatre; Landscape of the Body, Profile Theatre), Stephanie Rohr* (Godspell, The Brown Paper Box Co.; Reservoir Dogs, Roundhouse Productions; Jesus Camp: The Musical, The Cornservatory), Anna Schutz* (Reefer Madness, The Brown Paper Box Co.; Epic Proportions, Project 891), and Bob Skosky (Sleeping with Straight Men, Ludicrous Theatre; Our Town, Blank Page Theater; Aesop’s Fables, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse).

The production team comprises M. William Panek* (director), Sheila Gleason (set designer), Ian James Anthony* (properties master), Cat Wilson (lighting designer), Laura Wiley (assistant lighting designer), Patrick J. Butterfield* (production assistant), Michelle Kritselis* (dramaturg), and Charlie Sheets* (graphic designer).

About The Brown Paper Box Co.

Founded in 2010 and based in Chicago, The Brown Paper Box Co. creates thought-provoking and accessible theatrical experiences without the glitz of overproduction. This scaled-down approach allows our artists to deliver an elevated focus on the text. 

*Denotes Brown Paper Box Co. company member.

Interview: Mitchell Jarvis of IT COULD BE WORSE

Very happy with an interview I did with Mitchell Jarvis, co-creator, writer, and director of the wonderful new web-series, it could be worse. Turned out pretty great.

The series stars Jarvis, Wesley Taylor, Alison Fraser, Nancy Opel, Adam Chanler-Berat, and many more Broadway faces. It's dark and funny and heavy and sweet. Highly recommended.

Check out the interview here, hosted by BroadwayWorld.com.

Not-So-Amazing Show Poster: Romeo and Juliet

Yes, I love David Leveux's work (Nine was one of the best things I've ever seen ... and his Fiddler destroyed me), but this Bloom/Rashad show poster for Romeo and Juliet looks, well, a little off. As if they couldn't be bothered to be in the same room together for the promotional picture. I'm sure another will be reveled once rehearsals and production begins, but this one seems a little too rushed.

Amazing Show Poster: The Last Testament of Mary

Fiona Shaw looks amazing. Bound to be a wonderful production.

Eugene from Grease Says.....

Happy Good Friday!!!1

THANKS From The Brown Paper Box Co.

One behalf of The Brown Paper Box Co. and cast of Character Breakdown: A Miscast Cabaret - Andrew Lund, Anna Schutz, Daniel Spagnuolo, Katherine Glavin, Megan Ensley, Michelle Kritselis, Nick Shoda, Stephanie Rohr, T.J. Anderson, and M. William Panek - I'd love to thank everyone who made it out to Davenport's Piano Bar on March 23rd.

#prideatgroupon 3/26/13

My team today ... #prideatgroupon

Kinky Boots' Cast Recording is Coming

Rannells' 'stache

Andrew Rannells from a Terry Richard photo shoot. Looking good, shirtless Andrew Rannells. Looking good.

Without Hair

With Hair

Variation of "Finishing the Hat" by Steve Reich

02 Finishing the Hat

Composed by Steve Reich
Performed by Anthony de Mare
 

What The Boyfriend Jukeboxes When We're Out on a Tuesday Night

My Boyfriend is pretty eclectic when it comes to his taste in music. Eclectic and smart. It's one of many thing I love about him. He makes me listen to music not written for the stage or filled up with synthesized beats. You know, other forms of good music.

Here's a list of what he played on a jukebox the other night:


John Hiatt's "Give It Up." 


Mary Chapin Carpenter's "I Take My Chances." 

Mike Doughty's "Day By Day."

Homemade Valentine

Big Fish Musical Preview

With Susan Stroman, Kate Baldwin, and Nobert Leo Butz singing Andrew Lippa's new song.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: A Miscast Cabaret

Working on a new one-night show with some amazing people.

The Brown Paper Box Co. presents CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: A Miscast Cabaret on Saturday, March 23 at 8pm. This one-night cabaret will feature appearances from The Brown Paper Box Co. artistic associates and former cast members performing as characters they would never play due to age, gender, voice type, race, etc.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN will be presented at Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret, 1383 N. Milwaukee Avenue.

The idea sprouted when casting their most recent production of Godspell. The character breakdowns listed in the script were so rigid and specific in terms of body type and how the original actor performed the role. The show will break the mold of how a performer 'should' look or how characters 'should' be played based on previous incarnations. CHARACTER BREAKDOWN will be an exciting night to reexamine the characters we think we know in a relaxed cabaret setting.

Expect surprise song selections from composers David Yazbek, Jason Robert Brown, Stephen Sondheim, and more!

The cast includes: T.J. Anderson, Megan Ensley, Katherine Glavin, Michelle Kritselis*, Andrew Lund, M. William Panek*, Stephanie Rohr*, Anna Schutz*, Nick Shoda*, and Daniel Spagnuolo*. T.J. Anderson serves as pianist and musical director. M. William Panek* and Daniel Spagnuolo* serve as show coordinators.

Tickets are $15 / two-drink minimum at Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret. Ticketing information can be found at www.brownpaperbox.org/character-breakdown.html and www.Davenportspianobar.com.

* Denotes The Brown Paper Box Co. company members

It's Weird....

Just a ping on this chilly evening in the Midwest. Makes me feel tiny.

Winter Shirtlessness: Hat Edition

Ads (possibly for the places I work for) are subtly sexy sometimes.

20th Century Fox 'Theme'

Do yourself a favor and take 20 seconds to listen to this: